Toby-Alexander Smith has confirmed he has left EastEnders, just six weeks after returning as Gray Atkins. His final episode as the character has already aired.
The actor announced his departure on Instagram, sharing a picture of himself in a hair and make-up chair with the caption: "Well Walford, it's been wild... again."
Shock prison stabbing
The exit follows Thursday's episode, which featured a stabbing in the prison where Gray and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) are serving their sentences. Over the past week, Ian had been drawn into a revenge scheme orchestrated by Gray, who pushed him to invite Gray's ex Chelsea (Zaraah Abrahams) to the prison so she wouldn't be around when his grandmother Sheila (Sheila Ruskin) kidnapped their son.
The plan went wrong when Chelsea's family reached the airport and stopped Sheila from taking the child out of the country. Realising his plan had failed, Gray blamed Ian, accusing him of tipping everyone off. He threatened Ian with a blade made from a toothbrush and knocked him to the floor when he tried to reach the emergency button.
Confrontation and aftermath
The two men scrapped on the floor, and Ian ultimately turned the blade on Gray, landing the serial killer in hospital. It was later revealed that Gray survived, but the character did not remain onscreen.
When Toby-Alexander returned in late June, the BBC said the return was temporary. Fans were still devastated, with one writing: "Personally wish he would come back for good!" Another added: "Amazing scenes tonight! Best comeback ever! Great acting between you and Adam." A third said: "You play your part brilliantly and so convincing...gutted its only been a short stint ...wishing you all the best for your future roles."
Gray's history on the Square
Toby-Alexander first joined EastEnders in 2019 as a businessman and husband of Chantelle Baker (Jessica Plummer). His first storyline centred on domestic violence, revealing that Gray was hitting Chantelle behind closed doors. His behaviour worsened during lockdown, leading to Chantelle's death when he pushed her onto a loaded dishwasher and she was impaled on knives.
Fearing for his reputation, Gray left Chantelle to die. He later strangled Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White), who suspected him of hurting his wife, and killed Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami) when he realised his obsession Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) loved Kush. Gray later began a relationship with Chelsea, who got pregnant. She tried to flee to Ibiza, but he stopped her. In 2022, after Chelsea and Whitney discovered his crimes, he went to prison. He had not been seen until his 2026 return.
Toby-Alexander is the latest to leave EastEnders, following Kellie Bright's announced departure and Michelle Ryan's exit earlier this year.
